Synonyms

inborn

American

[in-bawrn] / ˈɪnˈbɔrn /

adjective

naturally present at birth; innate.

Synonyms:

hereditary, congenital, native, natural, inherent, inbred

Antonyms:

learned

inborn British

/ ˈɪnˈbɔːn /

adjective

existing from birth; congenital; innate

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See innate.

Etymology

Origin of inborn

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English inboren “native, indigenous”; in- ¹, born

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He credits his achievements not to inborn talent but to dedication and discovery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

On one hand, they argue gender isn’t just inborn and immutable but that it’s wholly deterministic.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2025

But, like almost all mental disorders, bipolar is partially attributable to inborn factors, like genetics and chemical imbalances.

From Slate • Sep. 29, 2024

In psychology, the theory that the ability to imitate is inborn held sway for a long time.

From Science Daily • Sep. 27, 2023

He did both with such easy, inborn skill that after observing him I had begun to think that I could master either one any weekend I tried.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023